Matthew Paneitz

Alumni, BA in SustainabilityResidency Site: Plainfield VT

Personal Statement

Matt graduated from Goddard’s Bachelor if Arts in Sustainability program in the fall of 2012. Matt is the Founder and Executive Director of Long Way Home, Inc., a 501(c)(3) that uses sustainable design and appropriate materials to construct self-sufficient schools that promote education, employment and environmental stewardship. He first came to Guatemala with Peace Corps in 2002, and was stationed in the town of Comalapa during his service. His Peace Corps assignment was to help the local youth avoid drug and gang activity through clubs and other programs. After two years in the Peace Corps, Matt returned to the United States to begin raising money for a new development project inspired by the need he saw in Comalapa. He founded Long Way Home in the Fall of 2004, and returned to Comalapa in January 2005 to launch Parque Chimiyá ,